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Unit VI Gerontology and Special Needs
The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights
As we face death, what are our rights as human beings? This bill of rights was created at a workshop on “The Terminally Ill Patient
and the Helping Person,” sponsored by the Southwestern Michigan Insurance Education Council and conducted by Amelia J. Barbus.
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I have the right to be treated as a living human being until I die.
I have the right to maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing its focus may be.
I have the right to be cared for by those who can maintain a sense of hopefulness, however changing this might be.
I have the right to express my feelings and emotions about my approaching death in my own way.
I have the right to participate in decisions concerning my care.
I have the right to expect continuing medical and nursing attention even though “cure” goals must be changed to “comfort” goals.
I have the right not to die alone.
I have the right to be free from pain.
I have the right to have my questions answered honestly.
I have the right not to be deceived.
I have the right to have help from and for my family in accepting my death.
I have the right to die in peace and dignity.
I have the right to retain my individuality and not be judged for my decisions which may be contrary to beliefs of others.
I have the right to discuss and enlarge my religious and/or spiritual experiences, whatever these may mean to others.
I have the right to expect that the sanctity of the human body will be respected after death.
I have the right to be cared for by caring, sensitive, knowledgeable people who will attempt to understand my needs and will be
able to gain some satisfaction in helping me face my death.
Figure 33-5 ■ The Dying Person’s Bill of Rights.
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Support client’s nutritional needs. Prevent constipation by
administering prescribed laxatives or stool softeners. This
will decrease skin breakdown and prevent constipation.
Support urinary elimination by supplying easy access to
water and juices as appropriate to client. This will support
intake as desired by client.
Monitor for sensory deficit or overload by adjusting television or radio volume. This supports a more comfortable environment and shows respect for client preferences.
Figure 33-6 ■ The touch of your hand may be the dying person’s
last memory.
Providing Spiritual Support
Not all clients have a specific religious faith or belief. However,
most people need a sense of meaning in their lives, especially
when they know they have a terminal illness. The nurse’s responsibilities include seeing that the client’s spiritual needs are met.
This can be done by direct participation or by arranging access to
individuals who can provide spiritual care.
Supporting the Family
The most important intervention the nurse can provide to the
family members of a dying client is therapeutic communication. Refer to Chapter 6
for a full discussion on therapeutic communication. No intervention can reverse the
inevitable dying process, but the nurse can provide a caring
presence. The nurse can present a calm and patient demeanor
and allow client and family to express their grief. When grieving family members have not absorbed some information that
they were told, the nurse can reinforce what is happening or
what the family can expect. Some clients or families may need
to have information repeated several times.
Family members should be allowed and encouraged to
participate in the physical care of the dying person if they
want to and are able. The nurse can suggest they assist with
bathing, speak or read to the client, and hold hands. The nurse
must realize, however, that every family member’s desire and
ability to help may be different. Those who feel unable to be